The Song of Achilles

Agamemnon has decreed that all Greek kingdoms sending soldiers to Troy meet in Aulis to sail out in force. Achilles and his Myrmidons arrive there to cheers and cries of “Aristos Achaion” (181). As Achilles steps off the boat, sunlight washes over him, a gift from Thetis to highlight his divinity and inspire the Greeks. Agamemnon and other Greek leaders—among them Odysseus, Diomedes, Menelaus, and Nestor—greet Achilles. Agamemnon expects him to kneel and express an oath of loyalty. Instead, Achilles remains standing, leading to an uneasy silence.

Finally, Achilles breaks the silence, calling himself “god-born, best of the Greeks,” and says that he has “come to bring you victory” (183). The crowds erupt into cheers. Odysseus attempts to extract a pledge of loyalty from Achilles, but Achilles says that he has “come freely” (183) to help Agamemnon’s cause and that he is honored to serve among so many noble Greek warriors. Agamemnon welcomes him, adding his regret that it took Achilles so long to come. He announces that the forces will leave on the following day and strides away.

Though the leaders in Agamemnon’s inner circle follow him, many stay behind to chat with Achilles, seeming to want to mock Agamemnon behind his back. Phoinix, Achilles’s counselor, ushers him to the Myrmidons’ camp. A herald representing Menelaus arrives to offer them a tour of the Greek camp. Patroclus recognizes this as a diplomatic maneuver. Menelaus does not come himself because Achilles has alienated Agamemnon, Menelaus’s brother. Nevertheless, Menelaus wishes to keep himself in the good opinion of the “Aristos Achaion” (185).

That night, Patroclus wakes up in a sweat, the air oppressively hot and humid. He realizes that no wind is blowing, noting that if these conditions continue, it will be impossible to sail. The hot, humid, and breezeless weather continues for three weeks, and the expedition cannot sail. Achilles consults Thetis, who tells him that the gods are responsible but cannot or will not be more specific. Achilles relates this to Agamemnon, who dismisses him.

Two months pass. Finally, Agamemnon consults with a chief priest, Calchas, who believes that the offended goddess is Artemis. The Greeks must make a large sacrifice. Agamemnon announces that he will bring his daughter, Iphigenia, a priestess of Artemis, to the camp to preside over the sacrifice. He summons Achilles and Patroclus to his tent and offers Iphigenia’s hand in marriage to Achilles. Odysseus, who is also present, tells him what a great honor this is. Achilles’s eyes flick toward Patroclus. Aware that the marriage would increase Achilles’s status and sway with Agamemnon, Patroclus nods his assent. Achilles accepts the offer, and Patroclus notes that Agamemnon’s eyes are “cold and almost sad” (191) when he shakes Achilles’s hand.

Thirteen-year-old Iphigenia arrives full of excitement to be marrying “the best of the Greeks” (191). On the day of the wedding, Agamemnon stands on the dais with Odysseus and Diomedes flanking him. Achilles waits at the side. Iphigenia steps onto the dais and throws herself into her father’s arms, laughing. She turns to Achilles and smiles. As he steps forward, she seems to stumble. Patroclus realizes that it is Diomedes, pulling her backwards to the altar. Diomedes pushes her head onto the stone, and Agamemnon pulls out a knife and slashes her throat. Agamemnon announces, “The goddess is appeased” (192). The assembled men are horrified and furious by the human sacrifice, but before anyone can respond, they feel a soft and cool sea breeze on their faces, proving the truth of Agamemnon’s statement. Patroclus pulls a guilt-stricken Achilles back to their tent.

Agamemnon calls the men back to the marketplace to tell them that Iphigenia knew of the sacrifice. Having seen her panic-stricken eyes, Patroclus knows this is a lie, but the men accept it gratefully. Feeling that he could have saved Iphigenia, Achilles is distraught. A furious Patroclus confronts Odysseus, who admits both that he knew of the sacrifice and did not approve of it. Patroclus accuses him of dishonoring Achilles by involving him in the wedding ruse. Odysseus counters that the men have already forgotten Achilles’s part in it. He recognizes that Achilles feels guilty for having been unable to save Iphigenia. Odysseus advises Patroclus to help Achilles get over his “tender heart,” noting that he is “going to Troy to kill men, not rescue them” (195). He tells Patroclus that Achilles is the finest weapon “the gods have ever made” (196). Patroclus insists that Odysseus is wrong and flees from his tent.

The entire Greek fleet departs the following day. A week into their journey, Achilles expresses concern that he will not be up to killing. Patroclus is glad but, understanding that he does not “have to win [his] immortality with war” (199) as Achilles does, keeps silent. Achilles admits that he continually replays Iphigenia’s death. Patroclus reminds him that the men he will be fighting will not be innocent young girls. They will be deadly fighters who will kill him if he does not strike first. Achilles points out that Patroclus would not kill, even if it meant being killed. He asks Patroclus if he will forgive Achilles for killing. Patroclus says that he has “no need to forgive” (199) because it is not possible for Achilles to offend him. At that moment, a water snake attacks, and Achilles snaps its neck. Patroclus never saw it, and Achilles tells him he does not need to because he has Achilles.

As the Greek fleet makes its final push to Troy, ships from various kingdoms compete to be the first to make landfall. Arriving within sight of the beach, a warning horn blares. The coastline is teeming with Trojan soldiers who anticipated the Greeks’ arrival. Patroclus sees a giant soldier in a horsehair helmet riding a chariot among the troops. It could only be Hector.

When the Greeks are almost within range of the Trojans’ arrows, Achilles launches his spear. Despite the seemingly unreachable distance, it strikes and kills a bowman. Triumphant shouts and blares of horns carry the news among the Greek ships. They have drawn first blood. Patroclus notes that Achilles’s face is “still, almost peaceful” (202). His charioteer, Automedon, brings him a handful of spears. He launches another one successfully, then takes the shield Automedon offers him, instructing Patroclus to stand behind him as he sends more spears flying.

The first Greek to die is Protesilaus, who launches himself into the water and is hit while trying to swim to shore. The Greeks begin to storm the beach, sending the outnumbered Trojans into retreat having shown that “they would not be so easy to kill” (203).

The Greeks secure the beach, send scouts to guard against further attacks, and post guards. Odysseus draws lots to determine the placement of each kingdom’s camp. Phthia’s is located at the far end of the beach, in shade and quiet, the best location by far. Patroclus wonders if this was a gift from Odysseus. Leaving Phoinix to oversee the raising of their camp, Patroclus and Achilles head for the main camp, along the way passing that of Achilles’s cousin Ajax of Salamis. Patroclus pities Ajax; if not for Achilles, he would have been “Aristos Achaion” (205). They arrive at a hill overlooking Troy, whose walls were said to have been crafted by the god Apollo himself. Later, Patroclus will see them up close and wonder at how they could possibly be breached.

At the end of the day, Agamemnon calls his first council meeting, Menelaus beside him, Diomedes and Odysseus flanking them. The leaders debate whether to attack or attempt diplomacy. Menelaus supports making a diplomatic effort because “[w]e are not savages” (206). Odysseus notes that if war follows failed diplomacy, neighboring cities may feel less inclined to defend Troy, then adds that “raiding makes a good beginning” as well (207). Nestor agrees that a show of force should be their priority. Agamemnon sides with Nestor and Odysseus, and a raid is planned for the following day. Patroclus notes that “[r]aiding was typical siege warfare” (207). It allowed the invading army to choke off the city from supplies of grain and meat while holding wives and daughters as hostages.

Agamemnon demands orderly lines and selects where each contributing army will be positioned. Achilles’s Myrmidons are given a place of honor. That night, Patroclus questions Achilles about his thoughts while fighting in the harbor; Achilles replies that he did not think at all. Patroclus asks Achilles if he is afraid about the raid the following day. Achilles responds that he is not, adding, “This is what I was born for” (209).

The morning of the raid, Patroclus wakes up before Achilles. He will not be joining him on the raid since it will be carried out by a select few kings, “to grant first honors to the best warriors” (209). This will be Achilles’s first experience with combat in close quarters. Patroclus understands that, as a prince, Achilles’s choices are to fight or be seen as a coward and helps him put on his armor. Achilles kisses him softly before leaving, and Patroclus cannot help but notice that the Achilles who strides off with his Myrmidons is not the same Achilles who Patroclus knows in private. He feels grateful that he does not have to worry about Achilles’s safety.

Later, Achilles returns triumphant, covered in his victims’ blood. He marvels at how easy it was for him to kill and at the men’s cheers after the raid. Patroclus asks how many men he killed and whether they were farmers. Achilles quickly points out that the twelve men he killed were all armed. Remembering his promise to forgive Achilles, Patroclus is ashamed at the edge in his voice. He listens to Achilles describe how each of his victims died, imagining them as stories like those painted on urns. By listening, he hopes to release Achilles from the violence and recover the Achilles who belongs to Patroclus.